The Glorious Cause - Jeff Shaara [121]
Howe held up his hand, said, “I appreciate your passion, General, but the matter has gone beyond our control. Lord Germain had requested we ship Mr. Lee to London for trial, and he is presently being quartered in my brother’s care aboard the Centurion. However, we have received a letter from the rebels which has given us reason to delay any action regarding Mr. Lee. I must give credit to Mr. Washington for understanding the rules of war. It seems that he has close at hand five Hessian officers of high rank. He states that our treatment of Mr. Lee shall influence his treatment of the Hessians. It is an appropriate demand. Mr. Lee shall remain in shipboard in New York until such time as he might be exchanged.”
Cornwallis smiled now.
“I should imagine that prospect concerns Mr. Lee. If we don’t hang him, Mr. Washington might. However, five Hessian officers is too great a price for the rebels to part with on his account.”
Howe shrugged. “Perhaps. It is not our concern at the moment.” The matter had passed, and Howe looked around the room, motioned to an aide, and a map was unrolled on the table. Cornwallis leaned close, saw the line of the Hudson River northward, Albany, and farther up, Lake Champlain. Howe said, “Lord Germain has given his approval to General Burgoyne’s plan.”
Cornwallis was confused, had heard brief rumors about Burgoyne and some new strategy, but had no idea Burgoyne was anywhere close to the colonies.
“Sir, excuse me, but . . . General Burgoyne?”
Howe’s face showed a curl of annoyance, said, “Yes, General. Gentleman Johnny has been busy. You may have thought he has been in London, more concerned with his writing than his military career. But it seems he is instead scripting a role for himself in this war. With all respects to Lord Germain, General Burgoyne has charmed his way into the hearts of the ministry. He is presently preparing to move a force of seven thousand British and Hessian troops southward from Canada, through Lake Champlain, overland to the Hudson River and down to Albany. With this accomplished, New York will be under the crown’s control, and New England will be severed from the remaining colonies. Gentlemen Johnny will thus have crushed the rebellion.”
There was no enthusiasm in Howe’s words, and Cornwallis could see frowns now, some of the men around him uncomfortable with Howe’s sarcasm. Cornwallis scanned the map, absorbed the plan.
To one side a voice, Charles Grey’s, said, “Sir, with all respects, this plan has, as you say, been sanctioned by Lord Germain. But it has also received the approval of His Majesty. I do not believe I am alone in this room when I say I have utmost respects for the abilities of General Burgoyne. This plan is sound, and could very well bring the rebels to capitulation.” There were nods, murmurs of approval, and Cornwallis stared at the map as he sorted out the words, more comments supporting Burgoyne. He was surprised at the dissension, more surprised that Howe was letting them have their say.
John Burgoyne had served with Howe and Clinton in Boston, as subordinates to Thomas Gage. But while Howe and Clinton had pressed forward their plans for defeating the budding rebellion, Burgoyne had spent much of his time engaged in his passion for writing plays, while at the same time, he sent a continuous stream of complaints to London, decrying the efficiency and abilities of his fellow generals. He was the oldest of the group, and to many, including William Howe, he had an inflated notion of his abilities. After the debacle at Breed’s Hill, Burgoyne went to Canada, helping Governor Guy Carleton defend against rebel invasions of the valuable colony. But the Canadian winters held no appeal, and Burgoyne had returned to England.
Cornwallis had little contact with the man, knew him much more by reputation, knew that the nickname “Gentleman Johnny” had come from the man’s own troops, a reflection on Burgoyne’s empathy to the conditions of his men, something Cornwallis was known for as well. Though Cornwallis believed that Burgoyne was content to sail